Iraqi troops destroy four Islamic State armored vehicles, seize three others in Anbar

Iraqi soldiers carry their weapons during a mission against Islamic State in Iraq

Anbar (Iraqinews.com) – Iraqi troops destroyed on Wednesday four Islamic State armored vehicles and seized three others during a military operation in Anbar province, a military commander was quoted as saying.

Speaking to Alsumaria News, Commander of Anbar Operations Major General Mahmoud al-Falahi said, “A joint force from Anbar Operations Command, al-Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) and the Border Guards carried out a military operation in several desert areas in Anbar province on the Iraqi-Saudi borders.”

“The military operation was backed by Iraqi warplanes and the U.S.-led international coalition,” he said, adding that the troops destroyed four IS armored vehicles and seized three others during the campaign.

“In addition, four camps of Islamic State were completely destroyed in the military operation,” Falahi pointed out, noting that the final tally of IS losses will be announced later as the military operation is still ongoing.

Iraq declared the collapse of Islamic State’s territorial influence in Iraq in November with the recapture of Rawa, a city on Anbar’s western borders with Syria, which was the group’s last bastion in Iraq.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over 3 million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance.